Major drug trafficking networks dismantled, MOI reports

Baghdad – INA

 The Directorate-General for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Affairs of the Iraqi Ministry of the Interior announced on Thursday, the dismantling of major drug trafficking networks. Additionally, it reported the successful rehabilitation of 2,000 individuals from addiction at facilities overseen by the Ministry of Interior-MOI in Baghdad and across the provinces.

Hussain Al-Tamimi, Director of Media at the Directorate-General for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Affairs, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "significant progress has been made in combating international drug trafficking during 2023 and 2024, driven by rigorous intelligence operations that successfully dismantled major drug networks."

He added, "The quantity of seized resources is substantial and varies in form and type, involving both international and local traffickers," emphasizing that "the goal of these targeted intelligence operations is to dry up the sources of drug trafficking."

Al-Tamimi continued, "Fifty-seven international drug trafficking networks have been dismantled, a historic milestone for Iraq, based on judicial orders issued by specialized investigative judges in drug-related cases."

He acknowledged the significant support from the esteemed Supreme Judicial Council and Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, who directly supervises the security and intelligence operations that have led to the dismantling of these key drug trade networks.

He explained that "our work is intelligence-driven. The Directorate-General for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Affairs, now directly linked to the Interior Minister, can identify any suspect involved in drug-related crimes within less than 24 hours."

Al-Tamimi confirmed that "high-level international cooperation with specialized drug control agencies in Arab and regional countries has resulted in the dismantling of 57 networks. This follows the first International Conference on Drug Control held in Baghdad in 2023 and the second in 2024, which provided us with continuous support from international and regional agencies and facilitated daily information exchange on drug trafficking activities, effectively cutting off traffickers’ supplies and smuggling routes."

He noted that "we have a specialized strategy for combating drugs, focusing on targeting the hideouts and strongholds of drug traffickers, alongside implementing stringent deterrent measures."

He also mentioned the establishment of 15 specialized centers for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug users in Baghdad and other provinces.
Al-Tamimi concluded by stating, "Two thousand individuals have successfully overcome addiction after receiving treatment in our Ministry’s facilities, allowing them to reintegrate into society."